HP Smart App -- network information

[cliffmax]

using iOS 10.3.2 -- using HP Smart App to print from iPad to c6180 -- works OK -- shows ink level and printer address on network  BUT -- network information link displays message " network information cannot be retrieved"  -- why?  does this indicate some problem I have not yet encountered

[Chimney_83]

Greetings @cliffmax, 

Thanks for the post. 

I understand that you are able to print fine using HP Smart app, but the network information is coming up, is that right?

Not to worry, I will be glad to help. 

Are the printer and the iPad on the same network?

How are you printing from you iPad, wireless direct or wireless printing?

The network information that comes will give you the wireless direct password of the printer on your iPad. 

This information can be got from the wireless report from the printer or the front panel as well. 

If you are able to print, you can ignore the network information option. 

Else, you can uninstall the Smart app and install it back and reconfigure your printer and check. 

Keep me posted. 

[cliffmax]

Thanks for the reply.

To answer one question: the iPad and the printer are on the same network.  The network also includes an HP Laserjet Pro m127fw printer and, of course, my iMac computer.

The second clause of your first sentence is not correct -- but maybe that was a typo. The network information is NOT displayed.

To make sure we are on the same page:  When I go to the page of HP Smart app which displays the characteristics of the app -- such as the "description" of each printer -- there is a place where you can tap to bring up the network information.  And when tapped, it displays a message saying the information cannot be accessed.

Further, when I tap to display the specs of one or the other printer, the printer model number comes up, and the IP address, the ink / toner levels and a couple of other bits of printer info is displayed.

To answer another of your questions:  When printing from the iPad, I have no idea whether I am using wireless direct or wireless printing.  In fact, I have never been able to figure out what they are and what the difference is.  I use HP Smart when printing on the c6180.  It is presented as an option on the app that I am using --  such as Apple Pages (Apple's little word processor app).  And, of course I am printing wirelessly.

I do not use HP Smart when printing from the iPad on the m127fw.  All I do is hit the print button on the app I am using -- and the job gets routed to the m127fw.  (Airprint is a great function.)

Two other things you might need to know.  I print wirelessly on the c6180 from my iMac -- no problem.  My m127fw is wired to my iMac.  I do not remember why I did that, but I ain't going to change it.

Now as to why I wrote you guys in the first place: 

I am NOT concerned as to what the information HP Smart will display -- that is, if it were able to access the information.  What I am (was) concerned with is why HP Smart cannot get the network information.  Is something wrong? 

I just remembered this:  I did NOT install HP Smart.  I installed HP AiO a couple of weeks ago.  And over night, one day last week, the app  was changed by you guys  (the icon, too).  I did nothing -- nada!  I took the "lid" off my iPad, and, behold, the app was just changed.  BTW -- HP Smart has a much better user interface than HP AiO. 

Thanks for your forebearance.  I am an old guy, and years ago I was an IT system designer and programmer -- back when it was possible to use assembly language.  And when something does not function per the design, I want to know what's going on for fear that a glitch is lurking. 

[Chimney_83]

Thanks for the reply, you are right, HP AIO Remote app has been renamed to HP Smart and was released as an update to all customer's using HP AIO Remote. 

The difference between wireless direct and wireless direct is that, wireless direct does not require the printer and the iPad to be on the same network, you connect the printer to the mobile device directly using a wireless direct pin from the printer and print directly. Wireless printing is where the printer and the mobile devices need to be on the same network. 

You can refer to this HP Article to know more about HP Wireless Direct. 

For the network information not coming up, did you uninstall the app and reinstall it back and check?

Keep me posted. 

[cliffmax]

again, thanks for your help    no, I have not yet reinstalled HP Smart   will do so  -- cannot remember how to do so off the top of my head, but I can figure it out    -- one question about it: do I have to uninstall the existing app first  -- cannot remember -- getting old  -- will let you know results of re-installing

and while we're at it:  what is a "wireless direct pin" I get from the printer?   might as well learn about this now -- may need to know in the future (but, unlikely)   what is it?  where do I find it on the printer?  etc.

I see I have been awarded a "discussion driver badge" by HP     does this come with a substantial amount of money?  if so, small bills, please   perhaps a paper certificate, suitable for framing?

thanks again

[Chimney_83]

Thanks for the reply, please do try reinstalling the app in your spare time. The wireless direct pin will usually be displayed on the printer screen when you press the wireless direct button if available. Else if you print the network configuration report on the printer, you can get the wireless direct pin. Using the wireless direct pin you can connect the iPad or any mobile device to the printer without any router. 

You get different badges in HP Forums based on the number of posts and accepted solutions and kudos. 

Keep me posted. 

[cliffmax]

I just gave you a Thumbs Up fro your effort.  I have not accepted our dialogue as a "solution."  I will reinstall the app this weekend.  I will then see if my "problem" is solved.  If yes, the great.  If no, I think we have spent sufficient time to abandon the issue.  The printer works from the iPad using HP Smart -- and that is OK with me.  Regardless of the outcome of reinstalling, I will mark this dialogue as a solution.

I will keep you informed.

(I have been promoted twice by HP since our last exchange.  Please address me as "your excelency.")

[Chimney_83]

Thanks for the reply, please to try reinstalling the app in your spare time and let me know how it goes. 

Keep me posted. 

[ShlomiL]

Hi,

Please be sure to review the prompt once adding the printer to the app for the first time regarding limited support.

As you may find by the chart below, the HP Photosmart C6100 is supported by HP ePrint but not by HP Smart:

https://support.hp.com/rs-en/document/c03722645

With HP ePrint app Retirement for iOS, the HP Smart now offer limited print functionality for older printers as your model, it do not offer any scan or printer management features but only printing as was provided by HP ePrint.

I would guess this is the reason why some features are not working for your printer..

Regards,

Shlomi

[cliffmax]

Same old, same old

unstalled and the reinstalled Smart App -- the information for both my HP printers are displayed: printer model number; IP addresses; ink / toner level; etc.

but clicking on the network info link, the return screen still says: "can't find the info" or something like that (I am upstairs on my iMac --iPod is downstairs)

as I said in a previous message, I vote to end this quest

I will not register this interchange as a "solution"  -- but,  again, I  give you kudos for your effort

thanks again

and on the off chance that you wake up in the middle of the night with a solution, drop me a line